Super Simple Takedown - The Collar Drag
0
Drag Takedown·Knight Jiu-Jitsu
For a long time now, the collar drag takedown has been a favorite of mine in the gi. Once you understand the grips, entr…
Drag Takedown
Familyドラッグテイクダウン(Doraggu Teikudaun)
TransliterationTranslation: drag takedown (katakana)
Overview
The Drag Takedown family covers takedowns that use a drag-and-redirect mechanism to off-balance the opponent and pull them past the attacker's body, creating a takedown from the resulting positional advantage. [1] Unlike arm drags that pull a single arm, drag takedowns use two-on-one control (Russian tie) or similar double-grip configurations to redirect the opponent's entire upper body. [1],[2] The drag creates momentum that carries the opponent past the attacker, exposing the back or side for a takedown finish. [2] Drag takedowns are particularly effective against aggressive forward-pressuring opponents whose momentum can be redirected. [2],[3]
History & Origin
Effectiveness
Lineage
Competition Record
Drag takedowns are fundamental techniques in wrestling and MMA competition at all levels. [1]
Images
No images yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest an image.
Biomechanical Mechanism
Primary Action — Upper body manipulation — using head, arm, or collar control to break posture and create angle for takedown
Joints Involved — Opponent's shoulder (dragged or snapped), cervical spine (snap-down), attacker's hips (angle creation)
Force Vector — Pulling or redirecting force — arm drags create angular momentum, snap-downs use downward force
Takedown Mechanic — Off-balancing through upper body control creates openings for back takes or follow-up leg attacks
Position & Entry
From hand fighting — Secure wrist control with one hand, pull the arm across while stepping behind the opponent, take the back or shoot
From collar tie — Redirect the opponent's posting arm by dragging it across, circle behind for the takedown
Videos
1 video
Learn This Technique
No instructional courses yet for this technique.
Sign in to suggest a course.
Ratings
Risk of injury to the person this technique is applied to
3
Moderate3/10
Drag/snap motion for off-balancing; low impact
Skill level needed to execute this technique reliably
Intermediate
Whether this technique is allowed under major competition rule sets
— IJF — Legal takedown technique
IJF Sport and Organisation Rules 2025, Article 27PDF— 2 points
IBJJF Rules Book v6.0, June 2024PDF— UWW — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman
UWW International Wrestling Rules, January 2026PDF— Unified MMA — Legal takedown technique
Unified Rules of MMA, August 2025PDF— ADCC — Legal, scored 2-4 points in second half of match
ADCC Rules Update, April 2025PDF— FIAS Sport Sambo — Legal — all takedowns permitted
FIAS International Sambo Competition RulesPDF— FIAS Combat Sambo — Legal
FIAS Combat Sambo RulesPDF— 2 points
NCAA Wrestling Rules 2025-26PDFTraining Notes
✓Use a pulling motion to drag the opponent past your body, creating a takedown from the resulting angle
✓The drag redirects the opponent's force rather than meeting it head-on
✓Control the dragged limb throughout the motion to prevent the opponent from recovering
✓Step offline in the direction of the drag to amplify the off-balancing effect
✓Drags work best when the opponent is pushing forward into you — redirect their momentum
✓Chain drags with trips, back takes, and single legs for maximum effectiveness
Common Mistakes
!Pulling the opponent toward you instead of past you — the drag creates an angle, not a collision
!Standing still while dragging instead of stepping offline to create the angle
!Releasing the dragged limb too early, letting the opponent recover
!Not using the opponent's forward momentum — the drag is most effective against pressure
!Dragging without a follow-up plan — the angle disappears in one second
!Trying to drag from too far away, unable to get the opponent past your body
Related Techniques
Counter Techniques
Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attemptUnderhook — establish inside position to control distance and prevent the takedown entryPost and Circle — post on the attacker's head and circle away to break their angleLevel Change Defence — recognize the shot early and react with appropriate hip defence
Setup Chain
1Establish Contact — use grip, tie, or clinch to control the opponent
2Create Off-Balance — use push-pull action to disrupt the opponent's base
3Execute the Takedown — apply the specific takedown mechanic with commitment
4Follow to Ground — maintain control as the opponent goes down to secure position
Sources & References
Primary Source
Japanese amateur wrestling terminology
1OtherJapanese Martial Arts Community Terminology
Japanese amateur wrestling terminology
2OtherJapanese Combat Sports Katakana Convention
Standard katakana transliteration of Western martial arts terminology (外来語) — used in Japanese MMA, boxing, and BJJ communities
3CitationJapanese amateur wrestling terminology
Standard katakana transliteration used in Japanese wrestling (レスリング)
Community
Athletics
Requires
hand speed, lateral agility, quick level change
Favours
quick hands and explosive hips
Key muscles
biceps, deltoids, core rotators, hip flexors
Sub-techniques
Russian Tie Drag
SubFamilyThe Russian Tie Drag subfamily uses the Russian tie grip — a two-on-one control where both hands grip the opponent's one arm at the wrist and above the elbow — to drag the opponent past the attacker and create a takedown opportunity. [1] The Russian tie provides powerful leverage against a single arm, allowing the attacker to redirect the opponent's body by pulling that arm in the desired direction. [1,2] The drag motion pulls the opponent forward and past the attacker, typically leading to a back take, single-leg entry, or snap-down finish. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Two-On-One Drag
SubFamilyThe Two-On-One Drag subfamily uses a general two-on-one grip configuration — both hands controlling one of the opponent's arms — to execute a drag takedown, without specifically using the Russian tie hand placement. [1] Various two-on-one configurations can be used, including wrist-and-bicep, wrist-and-elbow, or wrist-and-shoulder grips, each providing slightly different leverage and control angles. [1,2] The drag mechanics are similar to the Russian tie variant: the opponent's arm is pulled across the attacker's body to redirect the opponent's balance and create an angle for takedown. [2,3]
1 genera·1 techniquesExplore
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most common mistake when finishing the drag takedown?
The most common mistake is falling to your shoulder instead of facing your opponent, which gives him an easier angle to establish top position. Instead, you should throw past your opponent and sweep while staying facing him.
What do I do if my opponent steps over my leg during the drag?
Keep a hold of the collar, slide through and pivot on your knee, then come up and hug the leg with your head in his ribs. From there, pick the leg up, pull him in your direction, and turn to complete the takedown, which sets you up for passes like the knee cut.
How do I secure top position after landing the drag takedown?
After the takedown, collapse the legs down and face inside to establish top side control position. Make sure to keep pressure on the legs to prevent guard replacement, then move up to avoid him re-establishing guard.
Why is the drag takedown considered high percentage?
Once you get the collar and sleeve grip attachments, it's very difficult for your opponent to defend against, making it a very high percentage technique.
How does the Drag Takedown work?
The Drag Takedown family covers takedowns that use a drag-and-redirect mechanism to off-balance the opponent and pull them past the attacker's body, creating a takedown from the resulting positional advantage. Unlike arm drags that pull a single arm, drag takedowns use two-on-one control (Russian tie) or similar double-grip configurations to redirect the opponent's entire upper body.
Where does the Drag Takedown come from?
Drag takedowns developed from Russian wrestling traditions, where the two-on-one arm control (Russian tie) was a primary offensive tool. The technique was refined through international freestyle wrestling competition and later adopted into MMA and submission grappling.
Is the Drag Takedown legal in competition?
IJF: legal — Legal takedown technique; IBJJF: legal — Legal at all belt levels, scored as takedown (2 points); UWW: legal — Legal in both freestyle and Greco-Roman; Unified MMA: legal — Legal takedown technique; ADCC: legal — Legal, scored 2-4 points in second half of match; FIAS Sport Sambo: legal — Legal — all takedowns permitted; FIAS Combat Sambo: legal — Legal; NCAA Folkstyle: legal — Legal, scored as takedown (2 points)
How dangerous is the Drag Takedown?
Danger rating 3/10. Moderate — drag/snap motion for off-balancing; low impact
How do I set up the Drag Takedown?
The standard setup chain: Establish Contact → Create Off-Balance → Execute the Takedown → Follow to Ground.
How do I defend against the Drag Takedown?
Standard counters include: Sprawl — drop hips back and drive weight down to stuff the takedown attempt / Underhook — establish inside position to control distance and prevent the takedown entry / Post and Circle — post on the attacker's head and circle away to break their angle / Level Change Defence — recognize the shot early and react with appropriate hip defence.
What are the variants of the Drag Takedown?
Common variants: Standing arm drag (pulling the arm across from collar tie to take an angle b…); Seated arm drag (executing from a seated guard pull position); Arm drag to back take (dragging to circle fully behind the opponent).
How effective is the Drag Takedown in competition?
Drag takedowns are fundamental techniques in wrestling and MMA competition at all levels.
What are common mistakes when doing the Drag Takedown?
Top errors to watch for: Pulling the opponent toward you instead of past you — the drag creates an angle, not a collision / Standing still while dragging instead of stepping offline to create the angle / Releasing the dragged limb too early, letting the opponent recover / Not using the opponent's forward momentum — the drag is most effective against pressure.
What are other names for the Drag Takedown?
The Drag Takedown is also known as Doraggu Teikudaun, Drag, Russian Tie, Two-On-One Attack.